Obituary of Sally Ann Rucker

Sally Ann Davis Rucker, Age 80, died November 15th 2006. Sally passed away peacefully at home in the loving care of her four children, and the gracious nurses and staff of Providence SoundHomeCare and Hospice. She was born in Ypsilanti Michigan on October 14, 1926, the daughter of Spencer Augustus Davis and Hazel Gertrude Erickson Davis. In her youth, St Luke’s Episcopal Church in Ypsilanti was an integral part of her life, and there she enjoyed singing in the church choir with her sisters Helen and Dorothy. After graduating from Roosevelt High School in 1944, Sally attended Michigan State Normal College (MSNC). She graduated in 1949 with a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences degree. (That year MSNC was celebrating 100 years and was recognized as the First Teacher’s Training School West of the Allegheny’s! Vice President Alban C. Barkley was speaker at the graduation.) She met her husband-to-be while attending MSNC, and in 1953 she married Joseph Henderson Rucker at St. Luke’s. In addition to raising four children, her working life included: teaching kindergarten in the Wayne Public School District; retailing at Crown House of Gifts; serving as a poll-worker in Ann Arbor Township and teaching punch card voting; and 15 years of hospice care work with Individualized Home Nursing Care. While raising her family, Sally attended the Dixboro Methodist Church, where she discovered relatives of the Glenn Freeman family. During her retirement, she returned to St. Luke’s where she served as Parish Secretary. Her tenure there continued until 2003. In June 2004, Sally packed her things and moved to Olympia Washington to start a new chapter in her life. She spent her time in her new home enjoying her retirement community, studying the tides and moon cycles, gardening, journaling, and protesting the war. She described her move to Olympia as “a rebirth”. She was preceded in death by her husband of 40 years in 1994. Surviving are her four children: Sara Rucker Thiessen (Kyle) of Olympia, Joseph Henderson Rucker of Olympia, Nancy S. Rucker of Ypsilanti, Mary Jane Rucker Cason (Joseph) of Olympia; her sister Dorothy Davis Rowe (William) of West Palm Beach, FL, and many adoring friends. Funeral and interment will take place in Ypsilanti at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the following organizations: •St. Luke's Episcopal Church Altar Guild, 120 N. Huron St, Ypsilanti, MI 48197 •Church Women United-In care of Ann Thomas, 1890 Ashley Dr., Ypsilanti MI 48198 •Democracy Now!, P.O. Box 693, New York, NY 10013 Cards and questions may be directed to our sister, Nancy, at: Nancy Rucker 958 Sheridan, Ypsilanti, MI 48197 or nanrgoat@mac.com or (734) 483-6285. Gathering together with friends and family has been a favorite pastime, we join together always sharing this grace: For what we receive let us be truly thankful. Remembering those who are less fortunate than we are and remembering our absent loved ones. With gratitude, compassion and love, we’ll miss you mom.